One of the most common questions we get from Myrtle Beach homeowners is: "Do I need pressure washing or soft washing?" The short answer — it depends on what surface you're cleaning. Using the wrong method on the wrong surface can cause damage that costs far more to fix than the cleaning itself.
What Is Pressure Washing?
Pressure washing uses high-pressure water — typically 1,500–4,000 PSI — to blast dirt, stains, algae, and organic material off surfaces. The force of the water does most of the cleaning work. Pressure washing is fast, effective, and appropriate for hard, durable surfaces that can handle the force.
Best surfaces for pressure washing:
- Concrete driveways and parking areas
- Concrete or brick walkways and patios
- Concrete block retaining walls
- Brick exteriors (with care — lower pressure on older brick)
- Metal surfaces like fences or railings
What Is Soft Washing?
Soft washing uses low pressure — typically under 500 PSI — combined with professional cleaning solutions that contain surfactants, mildewcides, and algaecides. The chemicals do the cleaning work, not the water pressure. Soft washing kills mold, algae, and mildew at the root rather than just blasting them off the surface — which means they take longer to come back.
Best surfaces for soft washing:
- Vinyl, wood, fiber cement, and stucco siding
- Painted surfaces of any type
- Roofs and shingles
- Wood decks (low pressure only)
- Screened enclosures and pool cages
- Outdoor furniture
The most important rule: Never use high-pressure washing on vinyl siding, painted wood, stucco, or roofing materials. The pressure forces water behind the surface, strips paint, and can permanently damage the material. This mistake is common and expensive to fix.
Why Myrtle Beach Homes Need Both
Most Myrtle Beach properties have both types of surfaces — a concrete driveway that benefits from high-pressure cleaning, and vinyl siding or painted wood that needs soft washing. A professional service provider assesses each surface and uses the appropriate method. Companies that use one pressure level for everything — either too high on delicate surfaces or too low on concrete — aren't delivering the best result.
In coastal South Carolina, soft washing is particularly effective because the cleaning solutions specifically target the mildew, algae, and salt residue that accumulate rapidly in the humid, salt-air environment. A soft wash on Myrtle Beach siding doesn't just look cleaner — it kills the organisms that cause the staining, so the results last significantly longer than a high-pressure rinse that removes the staining but leaves the organisms behind to regrow.
How Long Do Results Last?
- Pressure washed concrete: 12–18 months before significant re-staining in coastal South Carolina
- Soft washed siding: 1–3 years before significant mildew/algae regrowth, depending on sun exposure and proximity to ocean
- High-pressure "washed" siding: 6–12 months before visible mildew returns — shorter because the organisms weren't killed, just knocked off
Professional Pressure & Soft Washing in Myrtle Beach
Bakerss uses the right method for every surface. Starting at $125. Free estimates.
Get a Free Quote →Quick Decision Guide
- Concrete driveway → Pressure wash
- Vinyl siding → Soft wash
- Wood deck → Soft wash or low pressure
- Painted wood → Soft wash only
- Brick → Low to medium pressure
- Roof shingles → Soft wash only — never high pressure
- Pavers → Medium pressure, avoid high
- Stucco → Soft wash only
When in doubt, ask your cleaning company which method they're using on each surface. Any reputable provider should be able to explain exactly what pressure and chemistry they're applying — and why.